My Boyfriend Chose Her Birthday Over Our Year Chapter 04

My Boyfriend Chose Her Birthday Over Our Year Chapter 04

I caught a fever from getting soaked.

My mom video-called about the transfer. “Don’t you have a boyfriend? Why isn’t he taking care of you while you’re sick?”

“Does he think you’re going to be overseas for three years and doesn’t want to bother?”

When I first got together with Derek, I called home right away. I’d had a crush on him all through college. Three years of hoping, and it actually worked out.

Back then, I really thought we’d make it.

I shook my head. “We broke up.”

Mom sighed. “It’s okay. You’re young. You’ll find better.”

I managed a weak smile. Maybe I would find better. But that relationship cost me both my love and my best friend.

Sometimes I wished I could go back to the day I confessed. Maybe I’d never say it at all.

But that was just a fantasy.

Someone from the London office sent me onboarding materials. I read two lines before my head started pounding.

Then came a knock.

I thought it was the delivery driver with my medicine. Dragged myself to the door.

Derek stood there. He pushed past me, carrying bags.

“I knew you were acting weird. If Lauren hadn’t reminded me, I would’ve completely forgotten.”

“It’s our anniversary this weekend. If you wanted to do something, just say it. Quit being weird.”

“Lauren said she doesn’t mind switching her thing. She told me to come hang with you instead. I figured they’re like a day apart anyway—so I’ll just do yours early.”

I didn’t move from the doorway. “Why don’t you celebrate Lauren’s birthday early?”

He paused. Then said flatly, “You don’t do birthdays early. Anyway, anniversaries are just symbolic. What difference does it make which day I spend with you?”

Big difference. He could spend every day with Lauren. Our anniversary needed someone else to remind him. Being with me felt like a favor.

I held the door open. “I don’t want to celebrate. Go home.”

He stepped closer, tried to put an arm around my shoulder. I dodged him.

His voice softened. “Come on. Stop pouting. If I actually leave, you’ll just cry.”

I looked down. Lauren was the one who cried. I’d never shed a tear in front of Derek.

Maybe he thought I was tough enough that he didn’t need to comfort me. That I could handle everything alone.

But the truth was, whenever I wanted to cry, he was never there. And he’d never rush over for me.

I looked into his eyes. “Derek, do you ever regret saying yes when I confessed?”

If he hadn’t, Lauren would’ve confessed to him instead. If he were her boyfriend, he wouldn’t treat her like this, would he?

Derek frowned, like he was actually thinking about it. Then he shook his head. “I thought you were cute when you handed me that flower.”

“Stop overthinking.”

He opened the cake box and stuck a candle in it. “Last birthday you complained I didn’t get you a cake. This time I got flowers and cake.”

I looked at the cake and flowers on the table.

Strawberry cake. Lauren’s favorite. Pink roses. Also Lauren’s favorite.

I felt nothing but disgust. My head throbbed like it might split open.

Derek lit the candle, took a photo with his phone, and sent it to Lauren.

[Mission accomplished.] With a little puppy-dog sticker asking for praise.

So celebrating our anniversary was just another task Lauren gave him. 　　“If Lauren told you to break up with me, would you do it too?”